speaker placement for 5.1&7.1

[GSB]

Hi folks,how critical is it to follow placement rules for speakers in order to achieve a quality(HD Master etc) experiance?

My room shape doesn't allow me to follow the design's i have seen.....for instance my surrounds(5.1)are not in the correct posistion,but slightly behind our listening positions.I am interested in adding 2more speakers at some stage.

Thanks

Graham

 

[professorhat]

With my 5.1, the surrounds are also behind the listening position - I think if you're going to go to a traditional 7.1 setup, you do need to try and bring the surrounds closer to the side in order to give proper differentiation between these and the surround backs. The other option would be to go for a non-traditional 7.1 setup i.e. extra front "high" speakers assuming your receiver will support this configuration.

 

[GSB]

Thanks for replying Profesorhat....What i was thinking was adding 2rear speakers,about 4ft behind me on the far wall.....but how much defanition(so to speak)would these add....and would the surrounds spoil this?

I can have a 7.1 with this avr.....it has a virtual front height i use for sky movies.

Cheers

 

[Son_of_SJ]

To add to professorhat's wise words, I've not checked, but I'm pretty certain that the OP's Yamaha RX-A1010, being one or two years more advanced than my Yamaha in my kitchen, WILL allow Front Presence speakers as professorhat's alternative to surround back speakers. For some reason Yamaha doesn't do Dolby IIz or Audessy processing that would use front height speakers. You may also want to experiment with using an extra pair of front speakers in the Bi-amp mode, as I found that to give a fuller sound than using them as front presence speakers.

 

[GSB]

son of sj,at most i would only be looking at upgrading the front L/R to bookshelf,providing they are the right dimensions....I dont understand how i can add more L/R speakers?

I feel i have a very good front soundstage already.....especialy in master HD(with abit more volume :shhh: )

Thanks